Liam Smith: Mum's devastation when life support was switched off

Sep 28 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

LIAM SMITH’S mother last night described the devastating moment she had to agree her son’s life support machine should be turned off.

Donna Smith issued an emotional statement following the sentencing of his killers yesterday, calling for a stop to all gun crime in Merseyside.

“The last year has been a living nightmare for me and my family. Liam’s loss has left a massive hole that will never be filled,” she said.

“I remember the night Liam was shot as if it was yesterday, from the minute one of his mates knocked on the door to tell me.

“I ran straight out of the house, still in my slippers, and when I got to the hospital there were loads of people and armed police officers.

“It didn’t seem real and a short while later I had to make a decision that no mother should have to make and agreed that the life support machine should be switched off. Liam was only 19 years of age, the youngest of my five children.

“I don’t want any other mother to feel like that and I want those who use them to get rid of their guns.

“All I’ve got left of Liam is a plaque and his ashes, not a lot to show for a son who at one time showed potential on a football pitch, played for Liverpool Boys and hoped to follow in the footsteps of Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen.”